July 26, 1948President Harry S. Truman signs Executive Order 9981 abolishing racial discrimination in the United States Armed Forces.

May 17, 1954The SCOTUS decision in Brown v. Board of Education declares laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional.

March 6, 1961President John F. Kennedy signs Executive Order 10925, requiring government contractors to “take affirmative action” to ensure that applicants and employees are treated equally without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin.

July 2, 1964The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed major forms of discrimination against racial, ethnic, national and religious minorities, and women, in public accommodations and the workplace.